Displaced Family Support - Metsamor (DFSM)

The Displaced Family Support project, implemented with the kind support of the US Agency for International Development, aims to improve the quality of life of displaced families living in Metsamor City, Armavir Province. Twenty-six families living in the Mestamor shelter and around two-hundred residents scattered throughout Metsamor amalgamated community will have the opportunity to develop their capacities. These families will be encouraged to engage in viable microenterprises to increase and diversify their sources of income through the initiation of new activities. The project also facilitates social cohesion between displaced families and the host community.

To understand the challenges faced by the project, PIN conducted a needs assessment of municipality workers and focus groups composed of displaced families. This assessment revealed that the displaced people had difficulties in finding employment due to the fluidity of the market and the limited economy of the host community. A market assessment highlighted the possibility of creating work in such areas as baking, café or restaurant work; private kindergarten or childcare services; sewing; and a food preserve factory.

Selected beneficiaries among the displaced families and host community will attend training on baking technology, speciality and alternative baking, pastry arts, food service management, financial literacy, and business management. The most successful and motivated participants will have the opportunity of employment in the newly created bakery or receive livelihood kits to support their income generation abilities.

As a major output, the project will support the economic integration of displaced residents in Metsamor through the establishment and maintenance of a bakery. The bakery will ensure additional 10-12 jobs for the town in general and the project participants in particular. According to estimates, the bakery will produce about 800 loaves of bread and 300 lavashes daily and cover the needs of Mestamor kindergartens and schools. Furthermore, the bakery will produce products both for displaced families at reduced price and for sale to the public to ensure the sustainability of the business.

To foster proper assimilation and social integration of displaced families within the host community, PIN in collaboration with Metsamor city municipality will contribute to establishing an additional childcare unit within the existing kindergarten. This collaboration will aim at furnishing, equipping, and staffing. The kindergarten management will be encouraged to prioritize shelter residents for unit staff if they match the requirements for the position.